The St. Lawrence by Bike : the project that changed my life

Ever since my first bike trip, I have been passionate about encouraging others to explore our lands by bike. I spent years searching for the best way to pursue this vision and make it my full-time occupation.

In 2012, I left my real estate career to create the St. Lawrence by Bike cycling route. I spent two years riding along the river and assessing the roads. I aimed to make the route appealing, with scenic views, convenient services (lodging, food, and grocery stores close to the route), and cultural and historical sites. Traveling by bike, after all, means taking time to enjoy the heritage, the cuisine, and the people, as well as the stunning scenery.

From 2012 to 2014, I rode my bike along both sides of the St. Lawrence River, from Montreal to Quebec, multiple times. I discovered the attractions, talked to the merchants, and interacted with the locals. I also gauged the enthusiasm of the cyclists I encountered on my way. The feedback was positive. In 2014, The St. Lawrence by Bike came to life. It featured various cycling routes connecting the two cities.

The cycling route has grown over the years. It now spans more than 1350 km from Toronto to Matane, following Lake Ontario, the river, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. The cycling route is a linear circuit that passes through major tourist destinations like Quebec, Montréal, and Toronto, as well as numerous quaint regions and villages.

In 2022, The St. Lawrence by Bike became a non-profit organization. Its mission is to promote the cycling route, ensure its safety, and highlight its main attractions. It aims to boost cycling tourism in Canada. Since then, the St. Lawrence by Bike organization has engaged with some tourist associations to raise awareness of the cycling route along the majestic St. Lawrence River.

The adventure is just beginning. It all started from a passion. Follow us, we have exciting projects to share with you! The St. Lawrence by Bike is unfolding!


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Comments

  1. Bernard Têtu
    February 4th

    “Le Saint-Laurent à vélo” correspond vraiment au “chaînon manquant” du cyclotourisme le long du fleuve. Ce service permet de planifier des voyages de longues distances sans avoir à se préoccuper du transport des bagages et du retour au point de départ et rend l’expérience encore plus agréable. Adeptes du cyclotourisme depuis des décennies, ma conjointe et moi avons bénéficié d’un tel service en Europe et espérions qu’il arrive un jour au Québec.

    • Mario Belley
      February 10th

      Merci, Bernard, pour ces beaux commentaires. Nous travaillons très fort pour encourager le développement, la promotion et nous assurer que le parcours du Saint-Laurent à vélo soit bien desservi par un service de transport de bagages, de location de vélos et d’un service de retour au point de départ. 🚴‍♂️🌊

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